Collection of 11 albumen CDVs. Various photographers and locations, including Bangor, Maine, and Point Lookout, Maryland, [circa 1861-1865]. Several mounts feature photographer's imprints, period ink inscriptions, or research pencil identifications tying the subjects to the 1st Maine Cavalry.

This extensive archive features eleven cartes de visite representing the officers and men of the highly decorated 1st Maine Cavalry. The collection is anchored by a superb horizontal outdoor view of Corporal Joseph H. Lawrence of Company D, photographed standing proudly alongside his saddled cavalry mount in the field. The remaining ten images consist of crisp studio portraits, largely produced by Maine photographers such as S. W. Sawyer and M. G. Trask of Bangor. 

The 1st Maine Cavalry is universally recognized as one of the elite mounted regiments of the Union Army. Serving extensively with the Army of the Potomac, the regiment participated in a staggering number of engagements, from the Shenandoah Valley to Gettysburg, and throughout the grueling Overland and Appomattox campaigns. They famously sustained the highest number of battle casualties of any Union cavalry regiment during the entire war. The men depicted in these portraits rode in legendary charges at Brandy Station, Aldie, and Dinwiddie Court House, earning a fearsome reputation as hard-fighting shock troops.

Specifically, the lot includes the following images: 

1. Horizontal outdoor equestrian view of Corporal Joseph H. Lawrence, Company D. Photographed standing in the field next to his saddled cavalry horse, this exceptionally rare format provides a gritty, highly authentic look at a trooper on active campaign.

2. Studio portrait of Lieutenant Edward Jordan, Company M. He served for the entire duration of the conflict and, following his survival of the war's grueling cavalry battles, returned to civilian life and spent 44 years working as a harness maker in Bangor, Maine.

3. A second studio portrait of Lieutenant Edward Jordan, completing a pair for this specific veteran officer.

4. Studio portrait of Captain Horace S. Cole. Serving as an officer in Company A, he led his troopers through some of the most relentless combat of the war, as the regiment frequently rode in the vanguard of the Army of the Potomac.

5. Seated studio portrait of A. J. Cleaves, Company C. This image features a geographically significant backmark, having been taken at Point Lookout, Maryland, a location famously utilized as a major Union logistical hub, a massive military hospital complex, and a sprawling prisoner of war camp.

6. Studio portrait of Lieutenant L. Brooks, identified by notations on the mount reverse, providing another excellent visual study of the regiment's leadership.

7. Seated half-length studio portrait of an unidentified cavalryman wearing a dark slouch hat prominently displaying a crossed-sabers cavalry insignia.

8. Seated half-length studio portrait of a second unidentified cavalryman, also wearing a slouch hat adorned with a crossed-sabers badge.

9. Vignetted bust portrait of an unidentified 1st Maine Cavalry line officer wearing a dark uniform coat.

10. Vignetted bust portrait of an unidentified 1st Maine Cavalry enlisted man.

11. Vignetted bust portrait of another unidentified 1st Maine Cavalry trooper, rounding out the eleven-piece collection.

This is an exceptional, comprehensive archive of eleven portraits depicting the officers and enlisted men of the legendary 1st Maine Cavalry, highlighted by a rare outdoor equestrian view of Corporal Joseph H. Lawrence.

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards, Stereographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]

The images range from good to very good condition. The albumen surfaces exhibit varying degrees of age-related fading, minor surface wear, and the soft tonality typical of period photography, but all retain strong clarity and character.